Aliso Viejo council to again take up 'Green City Initiative'

Aliso Viejo's "Green City Initiative" goes back before the City Council on Wednesday night for possible approval, two weeks after the council postponed a vote following protests by some developers and other businesses.

The resolution being considered Wednesday would direct city staff to create a worksheet to detail proposed projects and costs outlined in the initiative. The meeting will begin at 7 p.m. at City Hall, 12 Journey.

The initiative, which focuses on creating a blueprint for Aliso Viejo residents and businesses to voluntarily increase efficiency of energy and water use, has been in the works since 2010. The city held a meeting in January to try to ease businesses' anxiety about measures becoming mandatory.

A new council report shows a chain of emails from Councilman Mike Munzing challenging city Planning Director Albert Armijo to define "climate change" and other issues described in the initiative. In one email, Munzing pasted a multicolored bar graph with a headline describing "global cooling" despite increased greenhouse gas emissions. The graph was produced by aerospace engineer Burt Rutan, according to blogger Anthony Watts, a self-described global-warming skeptic.

Many businesses have argued that the initiative is different than what they expected after their discussions with the city. Many residents have strongly supported the initiative and expressed disappointment that the council didn't approve it March 6.

The council Wednesday also is scheduled to discuss the city budget for the coming fiscal year and a proposed $20,000 appropriation for a summer camp at Aliso Viejo Ranch.